Albion Magnesium Bisglycinate vs Magnesium Glycinate: What's the Difference?

Key Takeaways

• Magnesium glycinate and magnesium bisglycinate generally refer to the same chelated form of magnesium.

• “Bisglycinate” more specifically describes magnesium bound to two glycine molecules.

• Albion® identifies a branded ingredient supplier and its chelation technology, not a separate type of magnesium.

• TRAACS® is Albion's branded system for its amino acid chelated minerals.

• When comparing supplements, check the elemental magnesium amount, ingredient source, serving size, and complete formulation.

Magnesium glycinate and magnesium bisglycinate are commonly used interchangeably on supplement labels, which can make it difficult to understand whether they are actually different.

The confusion increases when a product lists a branded ingredient such as Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate.

This guide explains what the different names mean, how Albion® fits into the picture, and what to look for when comparing magnesium supplements.

Magnesium Glycinate vs Magnesium Bisglycinate: Quick Comparison

The key distinction is that magnesium glycinate and magnesium bisglycinate describe the magnesium form, while Albion® identifies the ingredient source and technology.

What Is Magnesium Bisglycinate?

Magnesium bisglycinate is a chelated form of magnesium in which one magnesium ion is associated with two glycine molecules.

It is used in dietary supplements as a source of magnesium and is often labelled as magnesium glycinate or magnesium bisglycinate.

Is Magnesium Glycinate the Same as Magnesium Bisglycinate?

In supplement terminology, magnesium glycinate and magnesium bisglycinate generally refer to the same type of chelated magnesium.

The term “bisglycinate” is more specific because “bis” indicates the association with two glycine molecules. However, supplement manufacturers may use “glycinate” as a shorter name for the same general form.

Therefore, the difference is often terminology rather than a completely different magnesium compound.

When comparing products, it is more useful to examine the specific ingredient source, elemental magnesium content, and formulation rather than assuming one name represents a superior form.

What Does Albion® Mean?

Albion® refers to a branded range of mineral ingredients developed by Albion Laboratories, now part of Balchem.

Its mineral portfolio includes Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate, along with branded ingredients such as MetaMag® Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate.

Albion® also developed TRAACS® (The Real Amino Acid Chelate System), its branded system for amino acid chelated minerals.

This means Albion® is not another form of magnesium. It identifies the ingredient supplier and its specific mineral chelation technology.

Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate vs Generic Magnesium Glycinate

Two supplements can both be labelled “magnesium glycinate” while using ingredients from different suppliers.

This does not automatically mean one is better than the other. The finished product can differ based on factors such as:

• ingredient source

• elemental magnesium content

• manufacturing specifications

• quality controls

• serving size

• additional ingredients
  
  

A branded ingredient such as Albion® can provide more information about the source and specifications of the magnesium ingredient.

However, the Albion® name alone does not determine the quality or effectiveness of the entire finished supplement.

What Is Elemental Magnesium?

Elemental magnesium is the actual amount of magnesium supplied by a supplement, rather than the total weight of the magnesium compound.

This distinction is important because a magnesium compound contains magnesium along with other components.

For example, two products may contain different amounts of their magnesium compounds but provide a similar amount of elemental magnesium.

When comparing supplements, therefore, look at the elemental magnesium amount per serving rather than comparing the total weight of the magnesium compound alone.

What Does Research Say About Magnesium Diglycinate?

Clinical research has examined magnesium diglycinate in people with impaired intestinal absorption.

In a double-blind, randomised crossover study, researchers evaluated 12 patients with ileal resections. Participants received a 100 mg dose of ²⁶Mg-labelled magnesium diglycinate or magnesium oxide.

Overall, magnesium absorption was 23.5% with magnesium chelate compared with 22.8% with magnesium oxide, which was not significantly different.

However, among the four participants with the greatest impairment in magnesium absorption from magnesium oxide, absorption was significantly higher with the chelate:

• Magnesium chelate: 23.5%

• Magnesium oxide: 11.8%

• Statistical significance: p < 0.05
  
  

The chelate also reached peak isotope enrichment approximately 3.2 ± 1.3 hours earlier than magnesium oxide, with a significantly greater area under the enrichment-time curve (p < 0.05).

The researchers concluded that some magnesium diglycinate appeared to be absorbed intact, potentially through a dipeptide transport pathway.

However, this was a small study involving 12 people with intestinal resection, so the findings should not be generalised to all healthy adults or interpreted as proof that every magnesium bisglycinate product is more effective than magnesium oxide.

What Should You Look for When Comparing Magnesium Supplements?

The name on the front of a supplement does not tell you everything about the product.

When comparing magnesium supplements, check:

1. Magnesium Form

Look for the specific form listed on the Supplement Facts or ingredient panel, such as magnesium bisglycinate, magnesium glycinate, citrate, or oxide.

2. Elemental Magnesium

Check how much elemental magnesium the serving provides. This allows for a more meaningful comparison between products.

3. Ingredient Source

Some manufacturers identify the supplier or branded ingredient used in the formulation, such as Albion®.

4. Serving Size

Compare the amount of elemental magnesium provided per serving rather than simply comparing capsule or powder weight.

5. Complete Formula

Review the other ingredients in the product, including additional nutrients, excipients, and compounds included in the formulation.

Why the Ingredient Name Matters

Magnesium supplement terminology can describe different aspects of the product.

Magnesium glycinate is a commonly used name for a chelated magnesium form.

Magnesium bisglycinate provides a more specific description of magnesium associated with two glycine molecules.

Albion® identifies a branded ingredient source.

TRAACS® identifies Albion's amino acid chelate system.

Understanding these distinctions makes it easier to compare supplements without assuming that different names automatically represent different types of magnesium.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is magnesium glycinate the same as magnesium bisglycinate?

Generally, yes. The terms are commonly used to describe the same chelated magnesium form. “Bisglycinate” is the more specific term because it refers to magnesium associated with two glycine molecules.

Is Albion® magnesium a different type of magnesium?

No. Albion® is a branded ingredient source and mineral technology provider. Its portfolio includes magnesium bisglycinate chelate and other magnesium ingredients.

What does Albion® Magnesium Bisglycinate mean?

It refers to magnesium bisglycinate supplied as a branded Albion® mineral ingredient. The Albion® name identifies the ingredient source and associated chelation technology.

What does TRAACS® mean?

TRAACS® stands for The Real Amino Acid Chelate System. It is Albion's branded system for its amino acid chelated mineral ingredients.

Is magnesium bisglycinate better than magnesium glycinate?

Not based on the name alone. Magnesium glycinate and magnesium bisglycinate generally refer to the same type of chelated magnesium. Ingredient source, elemental magnesium content, formulation, and quality controls are more useful when comparing products.

What should I look for when buying magnesium bisglycinate?

Check the magnesium form, elemental magnesium amount, ingredient source, serving size, and complete formulation. If a product uses a branded ingredient such as Albion®, the ingredient information should identify it clearly.

What is the difference between magnesium bisglycinate and magnesium diglycinate?

The terms bisglycinate and diglycinate are commonly used to describe magnesium associated with two glycine molecules. In supplement and research contexts, they can refer to the same general chelated form.

Final Thoughts

Magnesium glycinate and magnesium bisglycinate generally describe the same type of chelated magnesium, while Albion® identifies a specific branded ingredient source and mineral technology.

The distinction is useful when comparing supplements because the ingredient name, supplier, elemental magnesium content, and formulation each provide different information.

Research on magnesium diglycinate has also provided evidence of absorption and tolerability in specific populations, although the available clinical evidence should be interpreted in the context of the study population and size.

When choosing a magnesium supplement, focus on the specific magnesium form, elemental magnesium amount, ingredient source, serving size, and overall formulation rather than relying on the name alone.

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Explore our magnesium and wellness range to find options that fit your daily nutrition and wellbeing routine.

References

1. Balchem. TRAACS® – The Real Amino Acid Chelate System.